United Sink Liverpool: Eleven Individual Players, Yet No Team

Sometimes a team under new management accompanying a collection of new players can take a few games to kick start their campaign.

Let us hope then that Liverpool can epitomise this philosophy.

Despite a thunderous 4-1 midweek Europa League win the Merseysiders came crashing down as they lost 3-2 at Old Trafford.

Their starting eleven emerged onto the pitch with a first half performance that saw them mostly defend. They came out and they expected to lose. Showing little in attacking prowess United finally took the lead through Dimitar Berbatov four minutes from half time.

A thumping bicycle kick from Berbatov gave United a second before an unexpected brace of set piece goals from Steven Gerrard left Liverpool bewilderingly level.  They had an opportunity to seize a point out of nothing.

Yet a Berbatov hatrick would seal a United triumph and leave Liverpool gaining only five points from a possible fifteen.

Of course the Premier League was somewhat harsh in giving Liverpool three top five teams in their opening five fixtures. This was to be their punishment for a dismal 2009/10 season.

They found some solace against Arsenal before coming undone against a rejuvenated Manchester City. Today marked their second defeat of the season.

Sadly today's match highlighted an inability for the starters to form a powerful team. They could not act as one force and ignite some promise to their game.

Joe Cole returned from suspension but probably shouldn't have bothered as he faded into oblivion. Konchesky was also reckless with numerous mistimed challenges and Reina looked awkward in goal at times.

Subsequently the team portrayed little continuity in their play. An arguably sub par United team were unlucky to have not gained a greater margin of victory.

So for Liverpool to now succeed they must subvert their lack of cohesion. They are required to form a collective that Roy Hodgson and their fans can predict more from.

If Manchester City can do it after just one uninspiring performance against Tottenham then Liverpool should be willing and able to follow suit.

After all a team with the individual talents of Gerrard and Fernando Torres must indeed warrant a greater level of excellence.

If one positive is to come from this week it is that Liverpool have scored a mighty six goals. Their second half performance against Manchester United was also half decent as the team began to attack the game more.

A similar performance against lesser opposition could indeed provide a fruitful outcome.

In the eventuality of the season it now looks likely that a top four finish may be out of reach for the Kop outfit. Their rivals seem to have an obvious edge.

Yet if Liverpool can produce an enhanced level of ability against the midfield and bottom half teams then they can forge at least a top six finish. Aston Villa are on their back foot and Liverpool need to capitalise.

Now that the difficult opener is behind them they can attempt to get their season on track with fixtures against Sunderland, Blackpool and Everton.

A nine point haul from these games could provide the perfect tonic to their current bottom half placing.

Failure to lift off means the likes of Torres may just live to regret their decision to remain faithful to Anfield if the team cannot be just that; a team.